Creating synthetic spaces for higher-order topological sound transport

Modern technological advances allow for the study of systems with additional synthetic dimensions. Higher-order topological insulators in topological states of matters have been pursued in lower physical dimensions by exploiting synthetic dimensions with phase transitions. While synthetic dimensions can be rendered in the photonics and cold atomic gases, little to no work has been succeeded in acoustics because acoustic wave-guides cannot be weakly coupled in a continuous fashion. Here, we formulate the theoretical principles and manufacture acoustic crystals composed of arrays of acoustic cavities strongly coupled through modulated channels to evidence one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) dynamic topological pumpings. In particular, the higher-order topological edge-bulk-edge and corner-bulk-corner transport are physically illustrated in finite-sized acoustic structures. We delineate the generated 2D and four-dimensional (4D) quantum Hall effects by calculating first and second Chern numbers and physically demonstrate robustness against the geometrical imperfections. Synthetic dimensions could provide a powerful way for acoustic topological wave steering and open up a platform to explore any continuous orbit in higher-order topological matter in dimensions four and higher.

Acoustic cavities in 2D heterostructures

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer unique opportunities in engineering the ultrafast spatiotemporal response of composite nanomechanical structures. In this work, we report on high frequency, high quality factor (Q) 2D acoustic cavities operating in the 50–600 GHz frequency (f) range with f × Q up to 1 × 1014. Monolayer steps and material interfaces expand cavity functionality, as demonstrated by building adjacent cavities that are isolated or strongly-coupled, as well as a frequency comb generator in MoS2/h-BN systems. Energy dissipation measurements in 2D cavities are compared with attenuation derived from phonon-phonon scattering rates calculated using a fully microscopic ab initio approach. Phonon lifetime calculations extended to low frequencies (<1 THz) and combined with sound propagation analysis in ultrathin plates provide a framework for designing acoustic cavities that approach their fundamental performance limit. These results provide a pathway for developing platforms employing phonon-based signal processing and for exploring the quantum nature of phonons.

Injector and Combustion Chamber Design for a Nitrous Oxide and Ethanol Rocket Engine

The basic design of a rocket engine injector and combustion chamber for saturated nitrous oxide and liquid ethanol is presented. At first, an oxidant-fuel mixture is selected based on a thermochemical analysis that explores several existing options and other combinations that have not yet been studied. As a result, nitrous oxide is chosen as an oxidant and ethanol as fuel. Then a simplified methodology is proposed for the design of a pressure-swirl injector responsible for ethanol. Computational fluid dynamics is used to verify the validity of the above-mentioned analysis, using Volume of Fluid (VOF). For the nitrous oxide injector, the flash-boiling phenomenon is investigated, verifying its importance for the ongoing project. The effect is treated analytically using the Dyer model to account for non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Simplified zero-dimensional and one-dimensional combustion models are explored as tools to design the rocket combustion chamber. Furthermore, combustion instability due to acoustic phenomena is studied, with the first spinning tangential mode being computed for the herein developed motor and an ensemble of acoustic cavities being developed to suppress the aforementioned mode. Finally, a diagram of the static test bench which will be used to validate the injectors and the designed engine is also presented.

Injector and Combustion Chamber Design for a Nitrous Oxide and Ethanol Rocket Engine

This report presents the basic design of a rocket engine injector and combustion chamber for saturated nitrous oxide and liquid ethanol, as well as details of the construction and operation of the engine in which the injectors will be used. At first, an oxidant-fuel mixture is selected based on a thermochemical analysis that explores several existing options and other combinations that have not yet been studied. As a result, nitrous oxide is chosen as an oxidant and ethanol as fuel. Then a simplified methodology is proposed for the design of a pressure-swirl injector responsible for ethanol. Computational fluid dynamics is used to verify the validity of the above-mentioned analysis, using Volume of Fluid (VOF). For the nitrous oxide injector, the flash-boiling phenomenon is investigated, verifying its importance for the ongoing project. The effect is treated analytically using the Dyer model to account for non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Simplified zero-dimensional and one-dimensional combustion models are explored as tools to design the rocket combustion chamber. Furthermore, combustion instability due to acoustic phenomena is studied, with the first spinning tangential mode being computed for the herein developed motor and an ensemble of acoustic cavities being developed to suppress the aforementioned mode. Finally, a preliminary diagram of the static test bench which will be used to validate the injectors and the designed engine is also presented.

Nonlinear energy sink applied for low-frequency noise control inside acoustic cavities: A review

In recent years, the research of nonlinear energy sink on low-frequency noise control has become a hotspot. By adding a nonlinear energy sink into one primary system, it is possible to obtain the significant target energy transfer characteristics. The target energy transfer can be defined for which the vibration energy of the primary structure is irreversibly transferred to the nonlinear energy sink, quickly concentrated in the nonlinear energy sink and dissipated by the nonlinear energy sink damping. This method has significant advantages to control the broadband low-frequency noise inside the transportations (such as cars, trains, airplanes, etc.). Compared with traditional noise reduction methods such as adding the damping and acoustical materials, the nonlinear energy sink has a simple and lightweight structure. The paper reviews the nonlinear characteristics of the nonlinear energy sink, the main theoretical research methods and the applications of vibration and noise control, and discusses the application of the nonlinear energy sink for the control of low-frequency noise inside the three-dimensional acoustic cavities, which provides the reference and guidance for the low-frequency noise control inside the acoustic cavities of the mean of transportation.

Advanced NDIF Method for Eigenvalue Analysis of Arbitrarily Shaped Acoustic Cavities With the Partially Pressure-Release Boundary

In this paper, an advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method (NDIF method) for eigenvalue analysis of arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional acoustic cavities with the mixed boundary consisting of the pressure-release and rigid-wall boundaries is proposed. The existing NDIF method has the weakness of having to calculate the singularity of the final system matrix of an analyzed acoustic cavity in the frequency band of interest to obtain the eigenvalues of the cavity because the final system matrix is dependent on the frequency. The newly proposed NDIF method in this paper provides an efficient way to extract accurate eigenvalues and eigenmodes by successfully overcoming the above weaknesses. Finally, the validity and accuracy of the proposed method are shown through verification examples.